Printing system including printing apparatus and printing control apparatus

ABSTRACT

A printing system includes a printing control apparatus and a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives data transmitted from the printing control apparatus, and a power source control unit that causes the printing apparatus to enter a first power saving state or a second power saving state. The printing control apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires a power state of the printing apparatus, and a control unit that causes the printing control apparatus to enter an OFF state in a case where a acquired power state is the first power saving state, and causes the printing control apparatus to enter a power saving state where a wake-up packet for recovering the printing apparatus from the second power saving state can be transmitted in a case where the acquired power state is the second power saving state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation, and claims the benefit, of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/794,672 filed Jul. 8, 2015, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-143519 filed Jul. 11,2014. Each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/794,672 and JapanesePatent Application No. 2014-143519 is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing system including a printingapparatus and a printing control apparatus of which the power statechanges in association with the power state of the printing apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

A known printing system includes a printing control apparatus forreceiving a print job from an external apparatus and generating rasterimage data according to the print job, and a printing apparatus forperforming printing by using the raster image data received from theprinting control apparatus (refer to Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2003-72198).

The printing apparatus discussed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2003-72198 includes a video interface circuit forreceiving the raster image data transmitted from the printing controlapparatus, and a network (N/W) interface circuit for receiving controlinformation transmitted from the printing control apparatus. Theabove-described control information includes, for example, commands forperforming printing by using raster image data.

The printing apparatus enters a power saving state when a certaincondition is satisfied, for example, when the printing apparatus has notbeen operated for a predetermined time period. In the power savingstate, the power supply to the N/W interface circuit is maintained butthe power supply to the video interface circuit is suspended to reducepower consumption of an image forming apparatus.

As discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-72198,various power saving techniques for the printing apparatus haveconventionally been proposed. Further, with the trend for energy savingin recent years, demands for power saving measures on printingapparatuses are increasing. In Europe, for example, energy-usingproducts need to conform to the “EU Directive on Eco-Design ofEnergy-using Products (EuP Directive)” Lot 6 standard. To satisfy theLot 6 standard, when no operation is made to a product for apredetermined time period, the product needs to automatically enter astate where power consumption is 0.5 w or below.

To achieve the state where power consumption is 0.5 w or below, a knowntechnique causes a printing apparatus to enter a suspend state or ahibernation state. The suspend state is a state where the power supplyto the main memory of the printing apparatus is maintained but the powersupply to units other than the main memory is suspended. When theprinting apparatus recovers from the suspend state, the printingapparatus can utilize working statuses stored in the main memory.Therefore, the printing apparatus can start more quickly than in normalstart where applications and an operating system (OS) are activated. Thehibernation state is a state where working statuses on the main memoryof the printing apparatus are copied to a hard disk drive and the powersupply to each unit (including the hard disk drive) of the printingapparatus is suspended. When the printing apparatus recovers from thehibernation state, the printing apparatus can utilize working statusesstored in the hard disk drive. Therefore, the printing apparatus canstart more quickly than in normal start where applications and an OS areactivated. The hibernation state suspends the power supply even to themain memory and therefore provides smaller power consumption than thesuspend state. However, the hibernation state necessitates readingworking statuses copied to the hard disk drive and therefore providesslower start than the suspend state.

In recent years, to achieve power saving for the entire printing system,power saving measures for the printing control apparatus have been takenin addition to the above-described power saving measures for theprinting apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in some cases, when the printing apparatus enters theabove-described suspend state or hibernation state (hereinafter referredto as a first power saving state), the entire printing system maywastefully consume power even if the printing control apparatus enters apower saving state. The reason of wasteful power consumption will bedescribed below. When the printing apparatus is in the suspend state orthe hibernation state, the power supply to the interface for receivingdata from an external apparatus is suspended. In this case, even if theprinting control apparatus receives a print job from an externalapparatus, the printing apparatus cannot receive raster image datagenerated by the printing control apparatus. Thus, when the printingapparatus is in the power saving state where data cannot be receivedfrom the printing control apparatus, operating the printing controlapparatus for transmitting data to the printing apparatus in the powersaving state will wastefully consume power.

On the other hand, the printing apparatus can enter not only theabove-described suspend state and hibernation state but also a sleepstate (hereinafter referred to as a second power saving state) wherepower is supplied to minimally necessary units such as an interface forreceiving data from the printing control apparatus. When the printingapparatus is in the sleep state, the printing apparatus can recover fromthe sleep state upon reception of raster image data transmitted from theprinting control apparatus. More specifically, when the printingapparatus is in the sleep state, it is desirable to maintain theprinting control apparatus in operation in order to recover the printingapparatus from the sleep state upon data transmission from the printingcontrol apparatus. However, simply maintaining the printing controlapparatus in operation will result in an increase in power consumptionas the entire printing system.

The present invention is directed to reducing power consumption in aprinting system including a printing apparatus and a printing controlapparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a printing systemincludes a printing control apparatus for generating raster image dataaccording to a print job received from an external apparatus, and aprinting apparatus connected to the printing control apparatus toperform printing by using the raster image data transmitted from theprinting control apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a receivingunit configured to receive data transmitted from the printing controlapparatus, and a power source control unit configured to cause theprinting apparatus to enter a first power saving state where a powersupply to the receiving unit is suspended or a second power saving statewhere power is supplied to the receiving unit. The printing controlapparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a powerstate of the printing apparatus, and a control unit configured to causethe printing control apparatus to enter an OFF state in a case where thepower state of the printing apparatus acquired by the acquisition unitis the first power saving state, and to cause the printing controlapparatus to enter a power saving state where a wake-up packet forrecovering the printing apparatus from the second power saving state canbe transmitted in a case where the power state of the printing apparatusacquired by the acquisition unit is the second power saving state.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of aprinting system.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram illustrating a printing apparatus anda printing control apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a power source system of theprinting apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates the printing apparatus in a sleep state.

FIG. 5 illustrates the printing apparatus in a suspend state.

FIG. 6 illustrates the printing apparatus in a power OFF state.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in a case wherethe printing apparatus enters a power saving state.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a powersource control unit which has detected a recovery factor.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the printingapparatus to perform power control on the printing control apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the printingcontrol apparatus.

FIG. 11 illustrates a screen for selecting whether quick start isenabled or disabled.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in a case wherea printing apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment enters apower saving state.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a printingcontrol apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a screen for selecting whether the power states ofthe printing apparatus and the printing control apparatus are to bechanged in an associative way.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a printingcontrol apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Overall Configuration of Image FormingSystem

A first exemplary embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system 100.

The printing system 100 includes a printing control apparatus 102 and aprinting apparatus 103 configured separately from the printing controlapparatus 102. The printing system 100 is communicably connected with aclient computer 101. The client computer 101 and the printing controlapparatus 102 are communicably connected via a local area network (LAN)110. The printing control apparatus 102 and the LAN 110 are connectedvia an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 109. Further, the printingcontrol apparatus 102 and the printing apparatus 103 are connected via avideo cable 107 and a control cable 108. Although, in the presentexemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus 103 is not directlyconnected to the LAN 110, the printing apparatus 103 may be directlyconnected to the LAN 110.

The client computer 101 generates a print job by using a printer driverand transmits the generated print job to the printing control apparatus102. This print job includes page description language (PDL) datadescribed with the PDL. Print jobs are not limited to PDL data, and maybe image data according to Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) andother predetermined compression methods and bit map data.

The printing control apparatus 102 interprets a print job transmittedfrom the client computer 101 to generate raster image data. Then, theprinting control apparatus 102 transmits to the printing apparatus 103the generated raster image data and control commands for causing theprinting apparatus 103 to perform printing by using the raster imagedata. The raster image data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 103via the video cable 107. Control commands (a command for giving aninstruction to start printing, and a command for specifying sheet feedstages, the number of copies, and print layout, etc.) are transmitted tothe printing apparatus 103 via the control cable 108.

The printing apparatus 103 performs printing by using raster image dataaccording to control commands transmitted from the printing controlapparatus 102. The printing apparatus 103 according to the presentexemplary embodiment is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having variousfunctions including a print function, a scan function, a copy function,a BOX function, and a SEND function. Further, the printing apparatus 103may have a bookbinding function and a staple function.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 103 includes a scannerunit 104, a printer unit 105, and an operation unit 106. The scannerunit 104 reads an image of a document placed on a document positioningplate to generate image data corresponding to the relevant image. Theprinter unit 105 performs printing based on raster image data. Theprinter unit 105 includes an electrophotographic print mechanism. Thisprint mechanism includes photosensitive drums 105 a, an exposure unit(not illustrated) for forming electrostatic latent images on thephotosensitive drums 105 a, development units (not illustrated) fordeveloping the electrostatic latent images by using toner, and a fixingunit 105 b for fixing the toner image transferred onto a print sheet.The operation unit 106 includes a display unit 106 a and an input unit106 b. The display unit 106 a is, for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD). The input unit 106 b includes, for example, a power saving button106 c, a touch panel, and other various buttons.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram illustrating the printing apparatus103 and the printing control apparatus 102.

A controller 130 of the printing apparatus 103 will be described indetail below with reference to FIG. 2. The controller 130 performsoverall operation control, state management, and image processing on theentire printing apparatus 103. For example, the controller 130 controlsoperations of the operation unit 106, the scanner unit 104, and theprinter unit 105.

The controller 130 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 131, a readonly memory (ROM) 132, a random access memory (RAM) (main memory) 133, ahard disk drive (HDD) 134, a power source control unit 135, and an imageprocessing unit 136. The controller 130 further includes a videointerface (video I/F) 137, a network interface (network I/F) 138, and asystem bus 139.

The CPU 131 executes a program stored in storage units (the ROM 132 andthe HDD 134) to control each unit of the printing apparatus 103. The RAM133 is used as a work memory for the CPU 131. The HDD 134 is amass-storage device unit for storing various control programs to beexecuted by the CPU 131, and image data. The image processing unit 136is connected to the scanner unit 104 and the printer unit 105 via imagesignal lines. The video I/F 137 is connected to the printing controlapparatus 102 via the video cable 107. The network I/F 138 is connectedto the printing control apparatus 102 via the control cable 108. Thevideo I/F 137 transmits raster image data to the printing controlapparatus 102 via the video cable 107. The network I/F 138 transmitscontrol commands to the printing control apparatus 102 via the controlcable 108. The power source control unit 135 performs control to startand suspend the power supply to each unit of the printing apparatus 103.

The printing control apparatus 102 will be described in detail belowwith reference to FIG. 2.

The printing control apparatus 102 includes a CPU 121, a memory 122, aHDD 123, a video I/F 124, a network I/F 125, and a network I/F 126.Hereinafter, the network I/F 125 for communicating with the printingapparatus 103 is referred to as an internal network I/F 125, and thenetwork I/F 126 for communicating with the client computer 101 isreferred to as an external network I/F 126.

The CPU 121 executes a program stored in a storage unit (the memory 122and the HDD 123) to control each unit of the printing control apparatus102. The memory 122 is used as a work memory for the CPU 131. The HDD123 is mass-storage device unit for storing various control programs tobe executed by the CPU 121, and image data. The video I/F 124 isconnected to the printing apparatus 103 via the video cable 107. Theinternal network I/F 125 is connected to the printing apparatus 103 viathe control cable 108. The external network I/F 126 is connected to theLAN 110 via the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 109.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a power source system of theprinting apparatus 103.

The power source system of the printing apparatus 103 will be describedin detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

The printing apparatus 103 includes a first power supply unit 151, asecond power supply unit 152, and a third power supply unit 153. Thefirst power supply unit 151 generates direct current (DC) power of about5.0V based on alternating current (AC) power supplied via a plug P. Thefirst power supply unit 151 supplies the generated DC power to thenetwork I/F 138, the CPU 131, the RAM 133, the ROM 132, the HDD 134, thepower source control unit 135, and the power saving button 106 c on theoperation unit 106. Hereinafter, devices supplied with power from thefirst power supply unit 151 are referred to as first power source systemdevices.

The second power supply unit 152 generates DC power of about 12.0V basedon AC power supplied via the plug P. The second power supply unit 152supplies the generated DC power to the display unit 106 b, the imageprocessing unit 136, and the video I/F 137. Hereinafter, devicessupplied with power from the second power supply unit 152 are referredto as second power source system devices.

The third power supply unit 153 generates DC power of about 24.0V basedon AC power supplied via the plug P. The third power supply unit 153supplies the generated DC power to the printer unit 105 and the scannerunit 104. Hereinafter, devices supplied with power from the third powersupply unit 153 are referred to as third power source system devices.

Between the first power supply unit 151 and the first power sourcesystem devices, there is provided a power switch 154 which is turned ONor OFF according to a user operation. The power switch 154 includes aseesaw switch 154 a which is turned ON or OFF according to a useroperation and a solenoid 154 b for turning OFF the seesaw switch 154 a.

In parallel with the power switch 154, there is provided a relay switch155 for supplying the power generated by the first power supply unit 151to the first power source system devices. Even if the power switch 154is turned OFF by a user operation, power is supplied from the firstpower supply unit 151 to the first power source system devices via therelay switch 155. The power source control unit 135 is notified that thepower switch 154 has been turned OFF, via a signal SEESAW. When thepower switch 154 is turned OFF, the power source control unit 135instructs the CPU 131 to perform shutdown processing. When the shutdownprocessing is performed by the CPU 131, the power source control unit135 turns OFF the relay switch 155 via a signal SHUTOFF. Accordingly,the printing apparatus 103 enters the power OFF state.

Between the plug P and the second power supply unit 152, there isprovided a relay switch 156 for starting and suspending the power supplyfrom the plug P to the second power supply unit 152. Between the plug Pand the third power supply unit 153, there is provided a relay switch157 for starting and suspending the power supply from the plug P to thethird power supply unit 153.

Between some units of the controller 130 (the CPU 131, the ROM 132, andthe HDD 134) and the first power supply unit 151, there is provided aswitch 158 for starting and suspending the power supply to the CPU 131,the ROM 132, and the HDD 134.

Between the printer unit 105 and the third power supply unit 153, thereis provided a switch 159 for starting and suspending the power supply tothe printer unit 105. Between the scanner unit 104 and the third powersupply unit 153, there is provided a switch 160 for starting andsuspending the power supply to the scanner unit 104.

Between network I/F 138 and the first power supply unit 151, there isprovided a switch 161 for starting and suspending the power supply tothe network I/F 138. Between the power saving button 106 c on theoperation unit 106 and the first power supply unit 151, there isprovided a switch 162 for starting and suspending the power supply tothe power saving button 106 c.

The printing apparatus 103 operates in the standby state and the powersaving state which provides less power consumption than the standbystate. The power saving state includes the suspend state (the firstpower saving state) and the sleep state (the second power saving state).As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the standby state, power is supplied toeach unit of the printing apparatus 103.

When the operation unit 106 has not been operated by the user for apredetermined time period and the network I/F 138 receives no packet forthe above-described predetermined time period in the standby state, theprinting apparatus 103 enters the sleep state, as illustrated in FIG. 4.In the sleep state, power is supplied to some of the first power sourcesystem devices (the power source control unit 135, the power savingbutton 106 c, the network I/F 138, and the RAM 133), and power is notsupplied to the remaining first power source system devices, the secondpower source system devices, and the third power source system devices.

In the sleep state, when the printing apparatus 103 receives rasterimage data or control information from the printing control apparatus102, the printing apparatus 103 can recover to the standby state.

Further, when the seesaw switch 154 a of the power switch 154 is turnedOFF, the printing apparatus 103 enters the suspend state, as illustratedin FIG. 5. In the suspend state, power is supplied to some of the firstpower source system devices (the power source control unit 135 and theRAM 133), and power is not supplied to the remaining first power sourcesystem devices, the second power source system devices, and the thirdpower source system devices.

In the suspend state, working statuses immediately before the printingapparatus 103 enters the suspend state are stored in the RAM 133 (mainmemory). In the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus 103performs reboot before entering the suspend state. Then, the state afterreboot is stored in the RAM 133 as a working status. When the printingapparatus 103 recovers from the suspend state, the printing apparatus103 can use the above-described working statuses stored in the RAM 133.Therefore, the printing apparatus 103 can start more quickly than innormal start where applications and OS are activated.

When the seesaw switch 154 a of the power switch 154 is turned OFF, theprinting apparatus 103 does not enter the suspend state but enters thepower OFF state, as illustrated in FIG. 6, under predeterminedconditions. The predetermined conditions include a condition thatentering the suspend state is inhibited by a user setting (when “OFF” isselected on the screen illustrated in FIG. 11) and a condition thatpower has not been turned OFF for a predetermined time period.

It is of course that the printing apparatus 103 may enter a power statedifferent from the standby state and the power saving state (the sleepstate and the suspend state). For example, the printing apparatus 103may store in the HDD 134 the state immediately before turning OFF powerof the printing apparatus 103 and then enter the hibernation statewhere, next time the printing apparatus 103 is turned ON, operationswill be restarted from the state immediately before turning power OFF.

The power source control unit 135 will be described in detail below.

The power source control unit 135 is a programmable logic circuit inwhich the circuit is rewritable. The power source control unit 135according to the present exemplary embodiment is a complex programmablelogic device (CPLD).

The power source control unit 135 detects a recovery factor forrecovering the printing apparatus 103 from the power saving state.

In the sleep state, power is supplied to the network I/F 138, the powersaving button 106 c on the operation unit 106, the power source controlunit 135, and the RAM 133 to detect the following recovery factors, andthe power supply to the other units is suspended.

-   -   A wake-up packet is received from the printing control apparatus        102.    -   The power saving button 106 c is pressed by the user.

In the suspend state, power is supplied to the power source control unit135 and the RAM 133 to detect the following recovery factor, and thepower supply to the other units is suspended.

-   -   The seesaw switch 154 a of the power switch 154 is turned ON.

When the network I/F 138 receives a wake-up packet, a recovery signalWAKE_LAN input to the power source control unit 135 enters the Highlevel. When the power saving button 106 c is pressed by the user, arecovery signal KEY input to the power source control unit 135 entersthe High level.

When the recovery signal WAKE_LAN or the recovery signal KEY enters theHigh level while the printing apparatus 103 is in the sleep state, thepower source control unit 135 causes signals CONT, PRINT, SCAN, andRELAY to enter the High level. Accordingly, the switches 156 to 162 areturned ON and the printing apparatus 103 enters the standby state.

When the seesaw switch 154 a of the power switch 154 turns ON, thesignal SEESAW input to the power source control unit 135 enters the Highlevel.

When the signal SEESAW enters the High level while the printingapparatus 103 is in the suspend state, the power source control unit 135causes signals CONT, NW, PRINT, SCAN, and RELAY to enter the High level.Accordingly, the switches 156 to 162 are turned ON and the printingapparatus 103 enters the standby state.

The printing control apparatus 102 also can enter the power savingstate. When the printing control apparatus 102 enters the power savingstate, the power supply to the CPU 121, the memory 122, the HDD 123, andthe video I/F 124 is suspended. Meanwhile, even in the power savingstate, power is supplied to the internal network I/F 125 and theexternal network I/F 126.

When a print job is received from the client computer 101 while theprinting control apparatus 102 is in the power saving state, theprinting apparatus 103 recovers from the power saving state to thestandby state (a state where power is supplied to each unit). In thestandby state, the printing control apparatus 102 transmits to theprinting apparatus 103 raster image data generated according to thereceived print job.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in a case wherethe printing apparatus 103 enters the power saving state. Each step ofthis flowchart is implemented when the CPU 131 of the printing apparatus103 executes a program stored in a storage unit (the ROM 132 or the HDD134).

In step S701, in the standby state, the CPU 131 starts counting the timeperiod until the printing apparatus 103 enters the sleep state (thistime period is referred to as a sleep transition time). In step S702,the CPU 131 determines whether the sleep transition time has beencounted up. When the sleep transition time has been counted up (YES instep S702), then in step S709, the CPU 131 instructs the network I/F 138to notify the printing control apparatus 102 that the printing apparatus103 will enter the sleep state. In step S710, the CPU 131 causes theprinting apparatus 103 to enter the sleep state.

On the other hand, when the sleep transition time has not been countedup (NO in step S702), then in step S703, the CPU 131 determines whetherthe power saving button 106 c is pressed. When the power saving button106 c is pressed (YES in step S703), then in steps S709 and S710, theCPU 131 executes the above-described processing.

On the other hand, when the power saving button 106 c is not pressed (NOin step S703), then in step S704, the CPU 131 determines whether theseesaw switch 154 a of the power switch 154 is turned OFF. When theseesaw switch 154 a is turned OFF (YES in step S704), then in step S707,the CPU 131 instructs the network I/F 138 to notify the printing controlapparatus 102 that the printing apparatus 103 will enter the suspendstate. In step S708, the CPU 131 causes the printing apparatus 103 toenter the suspend state.

On the other hand, when the seesaw switch 154 a is not turned OFF (NO instep S704), then in step S705, the CPU 131 determines whether theoperation unit 106 is operated or whether a wake-up packet is received.When the operation unit 106 is operated or a wake-up packet is received(YES in step S705), then in step S706, the CPU 131 clears the countedtime. On the other hand, when neither the operation unit 106 is operatednor a wake-up packet is received (NO in step S705), then in step S702,the CPU 131 continues counting the sleep transition time.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in a case wherethe printing apparatus 103 recovers from the power saving state (thesuspend state or the sleep state). Each step of this flowchart isexecuted by the power source control unit 135 of the printing apparatus103.

In step S801, in the power saving state, the power source control unit135 determines whether a recovery factor is detected. When a recoveryfactor is detected (YES in step S801), then in step S802, the powersource control unit 135 stores the relevant recovery factor. When thedetected recovery factor is the ON state of the seesaw switch 154 a,i.e., the signal SEESAW enters the High level (YES in step S803), thenin step S804, the power source control unit 135 causes the signals NW,CONT, PRINT, SCAN, and RELAY to enter the High level. Accordingly, theprinting apparatus 103 enters the standby state from the suspend state.

When the detected recovery factor is the depression of the power savingbutton 106 c, i.e., the signal KEY enters the High level (YES in stepS805), then in step S806, the power source control unit 135 causes thesignals CONT, PRINT, SCAN, and RELAY to enter the High level.Accordingly, the printing apparatus 103 enters the standby state fromthe sleep state.

When the detected recovery factor is the reception of a wake-up packet,i.e., the signal WAKE_LAN enters the High level (YES in step S807), thenin step S806, the power source control unit 135 causes the signals CONT,PRINT, SCAN, and RELAY to enter the High level. Accordingly, theprinting apparatus 103 enters the standby state from the sleep state.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the printingapparatus 103 to recover the printing control apparatus 102 from thepower saving state. Each step of this flowchart is implemented when theCPU 131 executes a program stored in a storage unit (the ROM 132 or theHDD 134).

In step S901, the CPU 131 which is supplied with power reads therecovery factor stored in step S802 illustrated in FIG. 8. When the readrecovery factor is the ON state of the seesaw switch 154 a of the powerswitch 154 (Power Switch in step S901), then in step S902, the CPU 131turns ON the power switch of the printing control apparatus 102 to causethe printing control apparatus 102 to enter the standby state from thepower OFF state.

On the other hand, when the read recovery factor is the depression ofthe power saving button 106 c or the reception of a wake-up packet(Power Saving Button/Wake-up Packet in step S901), then in step S903,the CPU 131 transmits the wake-up packet to the printing controlapparatus 102 to recover the printing control apparatus 102 from thepower saving state.

FIG. 10 is the flowchart illustrating processing performed by theprinting control apparatus 102. Each step of this flowchart is executedby the CPU 121 of the printing control apparatus 102.

In step S1001, when power of the printing control apparatus 102 isturned ON, the CPU 121 authenticates the printing apparatus 103. Whenthe authentication is successfully completed, in step S1002, the CPU 121acquires various kinds of information of the printing apparatus 103(configuration information for the printing apparatus 103, mediainformation for the printing apparatus 103, residual quantityinformation for toner set in the printing apparatus 103, etc.).

In step S1003, the CPU 121 determines whether a packet is received fromthe client computer 101. When the CPU 121 determines that a packet isreceived (YES in step S1003), then in step S1004, the CPU 121 determineswhether the relevant packet is a sleep state transition notificationtransmitted from the printing apparatus 103. When the sleep statetransition notification is received (YES in step S1004), then in stepS1005, the CPU 121 causes the printing control apparatus 102 to enterthe sleep state from the standby state.

In step S1006, the CPU 121 determines whether the received packet is asuspend state transition notification transmitted from the printingapparatus 103. When the suspend state transition notification isreceived (YES in step S1006), then in step S1007, the CPU 121 performsshutdown processing for the printing control apparatus 102. In stepS1008, the CPU 121 turns OFF power of the printing control apparatus102.

On the other hand, when the received packet is a print job (YES in stepS1009), then in step S1010, the CPU 121 performs raster image processor(RIP) processing based on the relevant print job to generate rasterimage data. In step S1011, the CPU 121 transmits to the printingapparatus 103 the generated raster image data and control informationincluding commands for performing printing by using the relevant rasterimage data.

Effect of First Exemplary Embodiment

According to the above-described configuration, when the printingapparatus 103 enters the suspend state, the printing control apparatus102 enters the power OFF state and, when the printing apparatus 103enters the sleep state, the printing control apparatus 102 enters thepower saving state. Accordingly, when the printing apparatus 103 is inthe suspend state and cannot receive raster image data and controlinformation from the printing control apparatus 102, it is possible toachieve power saving not only on the printing control apparatus 102 butalso on the entire printing system 100 by causing the printing controlapparatus 102 to enter the power OFF state.

Further, when the printing apparatus 103 is in the sleep state, it ispossible to reduce power consumption of the entire printing system 100by causing the printing control apparatus 102 to enter the power savingstate. Further, when the printing control apparatus 102 is in the powersaving state, the printing control apparatus 102, upon reception of aprint job from the client computer 101, can recover from the powersaving state and transmit raster image data and control information tothe printing apparatus 103. This enables causing the printing apparatus103 to recover from the power saving state according to a print job fromthe client computer 101.

In the above-described first exemplary embodiment, a configuration wherethe printing apparatus 103 enters the suspend state when the seesawswitch 154 a is turned OFF is described. In a second exemplaryembodiment, the user can select whether the printing apparatus 103enters the suspend state or the power OFF state when the seesaw switch154 a is turned OFF.

FIG. 11 illustrates a screen for selecting whether quick start isenabled or disabled.

When quick start is enabled, if the user turns OFF the seesaw switch 154a, the printing apparatus 103 enters the suspend state. On the otherhand, when quick start is disabled, if the user turns OFF the seesawswitch 154 a, the printing apparatus 103 enters the power OFF state.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the printingapparatus 103 according to the second exemplary embodiment to enter thepower saving state. Each step of this flowchart is executed by the CPU131 of the printing apparatus 103.

In step S1201, in the standby state, the CPU 131 starts counting thetime period until the printing apparatus 103 enters the sleep state(this time period is referred to as a sleep transition time). In stepS1202, the CPU 131 determines whether the sleep transition time has beencounted up. When sleep transition time has been counted up (YES in stepS1202), then in step S1211, the CPU 131 instructs the network I/F 138 tonotify the printing control apparatus 102 that the printing apparatus103 will enter the sleep state. In step S1212, the CPU 131 causes theprinting apparatus 103 to enter the sleep state.

On the other hand, when the sleep transition time has not been countedup (NO in step S1202), then in step S1203, the CPU 131 determineswhether the power saving button 106 c is pressed. When the power savingbutton 106 c is pressed (YES in step S1203), then in steps S1211 andS1212, the CPU 131 performs the above-described processing.

On the other hand, when the power saving button 106 c is not pressed (NOin step S1203), then in step S1204, the CPU 131 determines whether theseesaw switch 154 a of the power switch 154 turns OFF. When the seesawswitch 154 a turns OFF (YES in step S1204), then in step S1207, the CPU131 instructs the network I/F 138 to notify the printing controlapparatus 102 that the power switch 154 has been turned OFF.

In the second exemplary embodiment, after the CPU 131 instructs thenetwork I/F 138 to notify the printing control apparatus 102 that thepower switch 154 has been turned OFF, then in step S1208, the CPU 131determines whether quick start is enabled. Quick start is set to beenabled or disabled from the screen illustrated in FIG. 11. When quickstart is disabled (NO in step S1208), then in step S1209, the CPU 131performs shutdown processing for the printing apparatus 103. Theshutdown processing includes closing a file, ending an applicationprogram, disconnecting communication with various input/output devices,and ending the OS. In step S1210, the printing apparatus 103 enters thepower OFF state.

On the other hand, when quick start is enabled (YES in step S1208), thenin step S1213, the CPU 131 causes the printing apparatus 103 to enterthe suspend state.

On the other hand, when the seesaw switch 154 a is not turned OFF (NO instep S1204), then in step S1205, the CPU 131 determines whether theoperation unit 106 is operated or whether a wake-up packet is received.When the operation unit 106 is operated or a wake-up packet is received(YES in step S1205), then in step S1206, the CPU 131 clears the countedtime. On the other hand, when neither the operation unit 106 is operatednor a wake-up packet is received (NO in step S1205), then in step S1202,the CPU 131 continues counting the sleep transition time.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the printing controlapparatus 102. Each step of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 121 ofthe printing control apparatus 102.

In step S1301, when the power of the printing control apparatus 102 isturned ON, the CPU 121 authenticates the printing apparatus 103. Whenauthentication is successfully completed, in step S1302, the CPU 121acquires various kinds of information of the printing apparatus 103(configuration information for the printing apparatus 103, mediainformation for the printing apparatus 103, residual quantityinformation for toner set in the printing apparatus 103, etc.).

In step S1303, the CPU 121 determines whether a packet is received fromthe client computer 101. When the CPU 121 determines that a packet isreceived (YES in step S1303), then in step S1304, the CPU 121 determineswhether the relevant packet is a sleep state transition notificationtransmitted from the printing apparatus 103. When the sleep statetransition notification is received (YES in step S1304), then in stepS1305, the CPU 121 causes the printing control apparatus 102 to enterthe sleep state from the standby state.

In step S1306, the CPU 121 determines whether the received packet is anotification transmitted from the printing apparatus 103 to notify theprinting control apparatus 102 that the power switch 154 has been turnedOFF. When the received packet is a notification for notifying theprinting control apparatus 102 that the power switch 154 has been turnedOFF (YES in step S1306), then in step S1307, the CPU 121 performsshutdown processing for the printing control apparatus 102. Then, theCPU 121 turns OFF the printing control apparatus 102.

When the received packet is a print job (YES in step S1308), then instep S1309, the CPU 121 performs RIP processing based on the relevantprint job to generate raster image data. In step S1310, the CPU 121transmits the generated raster image data and the control information tothe printing apparatus 103.

In the first and the second exemplary embodiments, the configurations ofchanging the power states of the printing apparatus 103 and the printingcontrol apparatus 102 in an associative way are described. In a thirdexemplary embodiment, the user can select whether the power states ofthe printing apparatus 103 and the printing control apparatus 102 are tobe changed in an associative way.

FIG. 14 illustrates a screen for selecting whether the power states ofthe printing apparatus 103 and the printing control apparatus 102 are tobe changed in an associative way.

When the user selects “ON” on the screen illustrated in FIG. 14, if theseesaw switch 154 a of the printing apparatus 103 is turned OFF, theprinting apparatus 103 enters the suspend state and, in association withthis state transition, the printing control apparatus 102 enters thepower OFF state. On the other hand, when the user selects “OFF” on thescreen illustrated in FIG. 14, even if the seesaw switch 154 a of theprinting apparatus 103 is turned OFF, the printing control apparatus 102does not enter the power OFF state.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the printingcontrol apparatus 102 according to the third exemplary embodiment. Eachstep of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 121 of the printingcontrol apparatus 102.

In step S1501, when the power of the printing control apparatus 102 isturned ON, the CPU 121 authenticates the printing apparatus 103. Whenauthentication is successfully completed, in step S1502, the CPU 121acquires various kinds of information of the printing apparatus 103(configuration information for the printing apparatus 103, mediainformation for the printing apparatus 103, residual quantityinformation for toner set in the printing apparatus 103, etc.).

In step S1503, the CPU 121 determines whether a packet is received fromthe client computer 101. When the CPU 121 determines that a packet isreceived (YES in step S1503), then in step S1504, the CPU 121 determineswhether the relevant packet is a sleep state transition notificationtransmitted from the printing apparatus 103. When the sleep statetransition notification is received (YES in step S1504), then in stepS1505, the CPU 121 causes the printing control apparatus 102 to enterthe sleep state from the standby state.

In step S1506, the CPU 121 determines whether the received packet is asuspend state transition notification transmitted from the printingapparatus 103. When the suspend state transition notification isreceived (YES in step S1506), then in step S1507, the CPU 121 determineswhether the power association is to be performed in the presentexemplary embodiment. Specifically, the CPU 121 makes an inquiry to theprinting apparatus 103 about whether the power association is to beperformed, and then acquires information about whether the powerassociation is to be performed from the printing apparatus 103. The userselects whether the power association is to be performed on the screenillustrating in FIG. 14.

When setting is made to change the power states of the printingapparatus 103 and the printing control apparatus 102 in an associativeway, i.e., when “ON” is selected on the screen illustrated in FIG. 14(YES in step S1507), then in step S1508, the CPU 121 performs shutdownprocessing for the printing control apparatus 102. Then, the CPU 121turns OFF the printing control apparatus 102.

On the other hand, setting is made not to change the power states of theprinting apparatus 103 and the printing control apparatus 102 in anassociative way, i.e., when “OFF” is selected on the screen illustratedin FIG. 14 (NO in step S1507), the processing returns to step S1503. Inthis case, the CPU 121 does not change the power state of the printingcontrol apparatus 102.

On the other hand, when the received packet is a print job (YES in stepS1510), then in step S1511, the CPU 121 performs RIP processing togenerate raster image data based on the relevant print job. In stepS1512, the CPU 121 transmits to the printing apparatus 103 the generatedraster image data and control information including commands forperforming printing by using the relevant raster image data.

Other Exemplary Embodiment

In the first, the second, and the third exemplary embodiments, theconfigurations where the suspend state is used as the first power savingstate according to the present invention have been described, therelevant first power saving state may be the hibernation state.

Other Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computerof a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executableinstructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one ormore of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more ofa central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or othercircuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separatecomputer processors. The computer executable instructions may beprovided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storagemedium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of ahard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), astorage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: an image processingapparatus that is capable of generating image data and transmitting thegenerated image data; and a printing apparatus that is a differentapparatus that is not the image processing apparatus, and is capable ofperforming printing on a basis of the generated image data transmittedby the image processing apparatus; wherein the printing apparatusincludes a power button; and a power control unit that turns off or onthe printing apparatus in accordance with an operation of the powerbutton; wherein the image processing apparatus includes a control unitthat turns off or on the image processing apparatus in association withthe printing apparatus; wherein the printing apparatus or the imageprocessing apparatus has a setting unit that sets whether or not toassociate a power state of the image processing apparatus with theprinting apparatus.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit turns off the image processing apparatus in associationwith turning off of the printing apparatus and turns on the imageprocessing apparatus in association with turning on of the printingapparatus.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unitturns off or on the image processing apparatus in association with theprinting apparatus in a case where it is set by the setting unit thatthe power state of the image processing apparatus is to be associatedwith the printing apparatus; and wherein the control unit does not turnoff or on the image processing apparatus in association with theprinting apparatus in a case where it is not set by the setting unitthat the power state of the image processing apparatus is to beassociated with the printing apparatus.
 4. The system according to claim1, wherein the printing apparatus is capable of shifting into a sleepstate; and wherein the control unit does not associate the power stateof the image processing apparatus with the shifting of the printingapparatus into the sleep state regardless of the setting by the settingunit.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the image processingapparatus includes the setting unit.
 6. The system according to claim 1,wherein the image processing apparatus further includes a receiving unitthat receives a signal that indicates a power state of the printingapparatus; and wherein the control unit turns off or on the imageprocessing apparatus on a basis of the signal received by the receivingunit in a case where it is set that the power state of the imageprocessing apparatus is to be associated with the printing apparatus. 7.The system according to claim 6, wherein the image processing apparatustransmits the generated image data to the printing apparatus via a firstcable; and wherein the printing apparatus transmits the signal thatindicates the power state of the printing apparatus via a second cablethat is different from the first cable.
 8. The system according to claim1, further comprising: a display unit that displays a selection screenfor selecting whether or not to associate the power state of the imageprocessing apparatus with the printing apparatus.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the printing apparatus includes thedisplay unit.
 10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: astorage unit that stores information that specifies a power state intowhich the printing apparatus is to shift when the power button isoperated; and wherein the power control unit turns off the printingapparatus in accordance with the operation of the power button in a casewhere information that specifies an off state is stored in the storageunit, and renders the printing apparatus suspended in accordance withthe operation of the power button in a case where information thatspecifies a suspend state is stored in the storage unit.
 11. An imageprocessing apparatus that is a different apparatus, not a printingapparatus, and is capable of generating image data and transmitting thegenerated image data to the printing apparatus, the image processingapparatus comprising: a control unit that turns off or on the imageprocessing apparatus in association with the printing apparatus; and asetting unit that sets whether or not to associate a power state of theimage processing apparatus with the printing apparatus.
 12. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unitturns off the image processing apparatus in association with turning offof the printing apparatus and turns on the image processing apparatus inassociation with turning on of the printing apparatus.
 13. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unitturns off or on the image processing apparatus in association with theprinting apparatus in a case where it is set by the setting unit thatthe power state of the image processing apparatus is to be associatedwith the printing apparatus; and wherein the control unit does not turnoff or on the image processing apparatus in association with theprinting apparatus in a case where it is not set by the setting unitthat the power state of the image processing apparatus is to beassociated with the printing apparatus.
 14. The image processingapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the printing apparatus iscapable of shifting into a sleep state; and wherein the control unitdoes not associate the power state of the image processing apparatuswith the shifting of the printing apparatus into the sleep stateregardless of the setting by the setting unit.
 15. The image processingapparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a receiving unitthat receives a signal that indicates a power state of the printingapparatus; and wherein the control unit turns off or on the imageprocessing apparatus on a basis of the signal received by the receivingunit in a case where it is set that the power state of the imageprocessing apparatus is to be associated with the printing apparatus.16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein theimage processing apparatus transmits the generated image data to theprinting apparatus via a first cable; and wherein the receiving unitreceives the signal that indicates the power state of the printingapparatus via a second cable that is different from the first cable. 17.A power association method for a system that includes an imageprocessing apparatus that is capable of generating image data andtransmitting the generated image data and a printing apparatus that is adifferent apparatus that is not the image processing apparatus, theprinting apparatus being capable of performing printing on a basis ofthe image data transmitted by the image processing apparatus, the methodcomprising: operating a power button provided on the printing apparatus;turning off or on the printing apparatus in accordance with an operationof the power button; turning off or on the image processing apparatus inassociation with the printing apparatus; and setting whether or not toassociate a power state of the image processing apparatus with theprinting apparatus.
 18. The power association method according to claim17, wherein the turning off or on the printing apparatus in accordancewith the operation of the power button is to turn off and on theprinting apparatus in accordance with the operation of the power button.19. The power association method according to claim 17, wherein theturning off or on the image processing apparatus in association with theprinting apparatus is to turn off or on the image processing apparatusin association with the printing apparatus in a case where it is setthat the power state of the image processing apparatus is to beassociated with the printing apparatus, and not to turn off or on theimage processing apparatus in association with the printing apparatus ina case where it is not set that the power state of the image processingapparatus is to be associated with the printing apparatus.
 20. The powerassociation method according to claim 17, wherein the printing apparatusis capable of shifting into a sleep state; and wherein, regardless ofthe setting as to whether or not to associate the power state of theimage processing apparatus with the printing apparatus, the power stateof the image processing apparatus is not associated with the shifting ofthe printing apparatus into the sleep state.
 21. The power associationmethod according to claim 17, further comprising: receiving a signalthat indicates a power state of the printing apparatus; and wherein theturning off or on the image processing apparatus in association with theprinting apparatus is to turn off or on the image processing apparatuson a basis of the received signal in a case where it is set that thepower state of the image processing apparatus is to be associated withthe printing apparatus.
 22. The power association method according toclaim 17, further comprising: transmitting the generated image data tothe printing apparatus via a first cable; and transmitting, to the imageprocessing apparatus, the signal that indicates the power state of theprinting apparatus via a second cable that is different from the firstcable.
 23. The power association method according to claim 17, furthercomprising: displaying a selection screen for selecting whether or notto associate the power state of the image processing apparatus with theprinting apparatus.
 24. The power association method according to claim17, further comprising: storing information that specifies a power stateinto which the printing apparatus is to shift when the power button isoperated; and wherein the turning off or on the printing apparatus inaccordance with the operation of the power button is to turn off theprinting apparatus in accordance with the operation of the power buttonin a case where information that specifies an off state is stored.